Pages

Thursday, February 23, 2012

That’s a beautiful painting of a lion’s pride – but that’s not the type of pride meant in Pastor’s lesson last night, part of Proverbs 13:

Only by pride cometh contention: (Proverbs 13:10a KJV)

Do you disagree? Then consider just the first of pride’s definitions:

The quality or state of being proud; inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, rank etc., which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve and often contempt of others.

Whether that pride is personal or held in a concept, a place, a ‘thing’, it is possible to understand that it is the root of contention – the beginning of arguments and strife. The Bible tells us more about pride, too.

David’s father sent food to his sons with their youngest brother. What one brother saw was pride:

And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. (1 Samuel 17:28 KJV)

What Eliab displayed was pride – showing his feeling of superiority over this child who came to watch men at war. Eliab was so wrong!

Most of us remember hearing biblical admonitions against pride – one of the earliest I remember also comes from Proverbs:

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18 KJV)

There are instructions in the Bible how to avoid this pitfall. How to keep from starting contentions, how to avoid destruction and falling, beginning with the close of that opening verse;

but with the well advised is wisdom. (Proverbs 13:10 KJV)

Honestly, some of the best advice comes from a man recognized as filled with wisdom. Take time to read Proverbs and heed the man recognized as wise. The man who simply asked God:

Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? (1 Kings 3:9 KJV)

No pride there. No desire for personal superiority. Humble. Consider those called of God throughout the Bible. The ones who replied, “Me? You can’t possibly mean me! I can’t do that job.” Yet, they did and we read of their accomplishments thousands of years afterward.

Want to avoid contention? Be aware of pride – in ourselves as well as others. Within ourselves, let’s clear it out. If in others, perhaps spending less time with their pride will relieve contentions?

2 comments:

I agree...and it is always my prayer that I live my life with humility. knowing that I am nothing without Christ and all that I am , its because of Him, His sovereignty drives me to humility! God help me, God help us. Thanks for a beautiful reminder. Pride is usually a scarely subject, because most of us, I included, sometimes have no idea of just how foolishly proud we are!

Oh, boy! Pride is a subject I am still trying to sort out. I have spent time in the past thinking that my road was the higher road without bothering to understand where the other person may be coming from in any given situation. Lately, I find myself asking for God to guide my thoughts and words, as I no longer want to be proud in a way that is harmful to either myself or anyone else. Thank you for some perspective. :)

Thank you for taking time to read and comment on the blog. Comments should take into consideration this verse: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8 KJV)

Thanks for stopping by! To know me better ...

Can't believe we're over half way through January!!

. . . we'll continue reading God's word, singing His praises and giving Him thanks. Thank you for joining in!! May His love always be displayed here, because I love Him, too. Thanks to all of you praying with us - and know I'm praying for you, too.

Copyright 2008-2013 Blog and Photos

Thank you for Bible reading with me and I hope each posting will bring readers a blessing. If you wish to copy or share the contents of this blog, please do me the courtesy of asking permission and citing this as your source. Except for the King James Version quotations, all rights are reserved unless specifically granted. Unless photos are attributed, they are borrowed from WikiMedia.Org or The Stock.XCHNG and are readily available from these sources. Except for those two sources, all rights on all photos used here are reserved. Please request permission before reusing any graphics.